The Effect of Livestock Grazing on Soil Organic Matter and Stability of Soil Aggregates
2013
Holubik, O., Vyzkumny Ustav Melioraci a Ochrany Pudy, Prague (Czech Republic) | Fucik, P., Vyzkumny Ustav Melioraci a Ochrany Pudy, Prague (Czech Republic)
Soil organic matter is a key qualitative element of soil environment from the view of its proper productive as well as ecological functioning. This paper brigs results from the period 2011-2013, when soil sampling took place in grazed and non-grazed pastures on middle-textured Cambisols across the Czech republic. Taken samples were analysed on quantity and quality of soil organic matter and soil aggregate stability and compared with data from grassland and cropland of analogous soil and climatic conditions. Stability of soil structure was assessed with the water stable aggregate (WSA) and mena weight diamenter (MWD) methods, soil organic matter was determined by the total carbon content (Cox), total carbon and nitrogen ratio (C/N) and humic to fulvic acids ratio (HA/FA). Both for grazed and non-grazed option, no statistically significant changes were discovered during the observed period in quality of soil organic matter as well as soil aggregate stability. However, soil aggregate stability and soil Cox content were significantly higher in pasture soil (both grazed and non-grazed) in comparison with soil under grassland and ploughland. Based on achieved results, it can be claimed that a common level of livestock grazing intensity in the Czech republic (up to 2 Livestock Units/ha) does not pose a threat to negative changes in soil aggregate stability nor quality or soil organic matter. Therefore. grazing is a suitable way of grassland farming, in accordance with appropriate pastoral management principles.
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